The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-04-14
Easter-The Services at Our
Churches.
4 Beautiful and Bright day, but bad
going, and consequently small
Audiences.

Last Sabbath, with its clear sky
and joyous spring-like air, forcibly
called to mind the fact that we had
passed through the dead winter and
were emerging upon new and risen
season-from the death of the chilling
frosts and wintry blasts to the life
giving warmth of balmy spring. 1t
was natures voice crying aloud, be-
hold a new life And, tittingly, this
joyous Easter morning, from every
church in the land the cry goes up,
''The Lord is risen !"
Owing to the bad condition of our
roads and streets and the consequent
expectancy of small congregations,
no elaborate attempts were made, by
either of our churches, in the way of
floral decorations. At the
NJ. +. CHURCH
A half dozen towering plants orna-
mented the chancel, and with out
ostentation or gorgeous display, uni
ted their silent voices with the whis-
pered prayer for new life and a new
faith founded upon a risen Savior.
The pastor, Rev. w. IL. Wight,
based his remarks upon three several
passages of scripture: 81 am he
that liveth and was dead and behold
| am alive evermore." "If
thou wilt confess with thy mouth
&C." And, "If Christ be not
risen then is our faith in vain -
He pretaced his remarks by asserting
that the time had gone by when men say
that Christ was myth. The testimony
was conclusive and could not be gainsaid.
Even his enemies bore testimony to his
life, Josephus, though Jew and an I'M
believer, testified to his life and death.
Napoleon Bonapart, although infidel to
all forms of religion, could but admit that
his life was a higher eXempliication of
divinity than that of Socrates, whom his
officers worShiped as thor highest ideal
of philosopher. While Alexander and
Bonapart had founded empires by force
of arms, they held no place in the hui
man heart where Christ was enthroned.
He ridiculed and showed the utter falacy
of the story that ''his disciples stole
him away Spoke of doubling Thomas,
and said that Thomas heart was right
but his trouble was in the head. He desir-
ed to believe but his head requirec indu-
bitable evidence, which he happily received.
In passing to the second clause of his
text he inquired, what is it to confess be-
lief? Thought it meant more than an at
tendance upon the regular prayer meeting,
more than the observance of the ordinary
formalities, but in an every day practical
confession as exemplified in active life,
inspiring the heart always and under all
circumstances. Spoke of the supreme
power of silence as shown forth in the
llfe Of Jesus, who made no outside talk.
rhe hearty belief in the resurrection was
a necessity. If we believe with joyous
heart we shall be saved. Everything de-
pended upon the resurrection. If lie had
never risen we could have had no faith
Contrasted the faith of the uuchristian
world, as set forth In its cemeteries, where
death is represented as an eternal sleep,
with the Christian burying grounds where
we meet, Il am the resurrection" "Be-
mold the morning cometh!'
ASLEEP in Jesus blessed sleep!
From which none ever wake TO weep"
Spoke of the family burying ground and
the desire to be inferred with our kindred as
illustrating the beautiful faith founded
upon the resurrection. Feelingly referred
to his own kindred whose bodies lie in
different and distant localities, Would
like to get them together. II will bring
them when / come" Blessed hope. Beau.
tiful faith!
, AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH
much the same conditions prevailed
, and for. the same reasons. There
: were some beautiful flowers, arranged
in pots, in front of the pulpit, and
the choir sang appropriate selections.
The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Fuller, preach.
ed from the words in Luke, xiv, "a
''The Lord is risen indeed"
In the opening he remarked that among
u the early customs of the church at the Gel
ebration of the day known as Easter, thu
e people were accustomed as they met u
$ salute each other with the latin word 'sur
!, reIH He is risen! To which the re
Spouse would be made, ''rera surrerh p
= lie is risen indeed" 1t was the glad an,
II joyful recognition of the fact that Jesu
e the Lord had risen from the dead. TIL
darkness that cast its gloomy pail owe
them during the trial and crucitiXion 0
,s Christ had in a measure departed, and tn
dawning of the light that was soon to baz
forth with great power was upon then
r. The day is not claimed to be the exact al
niversary of the Saviors resurrection an
ID more than the 18th of December is til
is true anniversary of his birth. But til
y facts remain intact. The Savior was Dor
:, and he arose Oh some day, and, as we al
not able to determine the exact date, theI
. seems to be no good reason why Chris
5 tians may not agree to unite on some da
If ON which to celebrate these important
e vents. The resurrection of Christ is
: just reason for hope and gladness. As
doctrine it is made prominent in the SCRIP
: lures. Prophets foretold it, Christ hin
III self revealed it; and the Apostles made
II conspicuous subject of their preaching
d Paul even declared that IF Christ be nc